Sky Sports recapped Sunday’s Women's Super League fixtures, highlighting Chelsea’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village – the first win of the season for the Blues and a harsh introduction for United’s new manager Eva Olid. Both sides had failed to secure points in the opening weekend, but it was Chelsea who imposed their will from the first whistle, turning the match into a showcase of attacking flair and defensive solidity.
Chelsea entered the break with a comfortable lead, thanks to a well‑timed finish from Sjoeke Nusken and a striking effort by Keira Walsh, who curled a powerful shot from the edge of the box into the top corner. The half‑time score reflected a team in full control, dictating tempo and creating chances at will. In the second half, the pressure only intensified. Lauren James, who was later named player of the match, added her name to the scoresheet in the 61st minute, followed by a quick strike from Ellie Carpenter just four minutes later.
The final nail in the coffin came from Lucy Bronze, who slotted home the last goal of the game, sealing a comprehensive rout. The result leaves United still searching for their inaugural league win of the campaign, with a daunting away fixture against Arsenal looming on Saturday.
The defeat also underscores the steep learning curve for Olid, who must now regroup and find a way to tighten her side’s defensive organization while maintaining the attacking intent that has been a hallmark of United’s recent play. In other action, Brighton staged a dramatic comeback against newly promoted Birmingham. Kiko Seike’s late‑stage goal completed a 2-2 draw after the Seagulls had trailed by two goals.
The match showcased Brighton’s resilience; despite falling behind early, they pressed forward relentlessly, forcing Birmingham’s goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley into a series of impressive saves. However, defensive lapses in the final minutes allowed Olivia Garcia to pull one back, and Seike’s opportunistic finish from a tight angle ultimately secured the point for Brighton. Charlton Athletic endured a turbulent night at Goodison Park, reduced to nine players after a series of disciplinary setbacks. The Addicks, who had suffered a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on the opening weekend, showed noticeable improvement against Everton but ultimately fell 1-0.
The decisive moment came when Holly McNamara’s cross was inadvertently turned into her own net by Leighanne Robe, just fifteen minutes before full‑time. Earlier in the second half, Ashleigh Neville received a straight red card for a high challenge on Ruby Mace, leaving Charlton with ten men, and Hawa Cissoko compounded the situation by picking up two quick yellow cards in stoppage time.
The loss leaves the newly promoted side second from bottom, only ahead of Manchester United on goal difference. At the Totally Wicked Stadium, Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham Hotspur despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances.
Tottenham took the lead just before half‑time when Signe Gaupset’s cross was deflected off Sam Kerr and looped over Liverpool goalkeeper Khiara Keating. Liverpool responded in the second half, with Aurelie Csillag heading home a near‑post finish to level the scores shortly after the hour mark. Although Liverpool pressed for a winner, they were unable to break the deadlock, settling for a point.
In a defensive masterclass, France’s goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud‑Magnin kept Crystal Palace at bay as the newly promoted side held Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates. Arsenal unleashed a staggering 30 attempts on goal, nine of which were on target, yet none found the net thanks to Peyraud‑Magnin’s reflexes and positioning.
The most promising chance fell to England forward Alessia Russo, whose powerful strike sailed over the bar after a precise left‑wing cross, underscoring the difficulty Palace’s keeper had in keeping the scoreline level. Overall, Sunday’s WSL action delivered a mix of dominant performances, dramatic comebacks, and hard‑learned lessons for teams still finding their footing early in the season. Chelsea’s five‑goal thrashing of Manchester United will boost their confidence, while United must address defensive frailties under Olid’s stewardship. Meanwhile, Brighton’s resilience, Charlton’s disciplinary woes, Tottenham’s opportunistic goal, and Arsenal’s missed opportunities all contribute to a compelling narrative as the league progresses toward its next round of fixtures.